The
foundation of an unheralded team that
won the last ACC title is back. There
are reasons to believe the Hokies
could repeat as ACC champions, and
maybe even have a shot at a national
title. Yet, is that somehow unwelcome
news for a team that thrives on being
the underdog?

In
the 1990s, Virginia Tech built a reputation
as "The little football program
that could", always playing second
fiddle to Miami and using such as
motivation. Then Michael Vick and
prominence arrived, and with that
came annual expectations (which usually
led to disappointment). It seemed
the blue-collar "lunchbox"
(work ethic) got lost. Then, in 2004,
VT lost its core (five rookies on
NFL rosters), so coaches got back
to basics. And the Hokies responded
well - they have reestablished the
swarming defense and dominant special
teams.

Beamer's
ability to motivate evidently hasn't
diminished - but pressure to win often
supersedes establishing any game-plan
when dealing with 18-22 year old kids.
Therefore, starting this highly-touted
may work against them this way. The
quality team-play will continue, but
achieving what they did last campaign
would be a stretch. Tech was second
in all of I-A for scoring defense
and seventh in pass efficiency defense,
but essentially loses its secondary,
so you do the math and tell us how
this will evolve. The variations for
what Tech's season could be span a
wide range, especially with a QB who
hasn't played in a year (coming out
of turmoil) and who has only 30 completions
under his belt.

So,
the biggest concerns are whether Marcus
Vick can put his problems behind him
and replace the ACC Player of the
Year, and more importantly (from a
team aspect) whether the coaching
staff can keep the squad focused now
that expectations have returned. With
Miami in Blacksburg (VT has won seven
of the last 10), there's no team on
the schedule where the Hokies should
be considered underdogs (though a
late-season Virginia squad won't be
fun to visit). But, as stated, that's
necessarily not good for the Hokies.
Expect Tech then to lose early, only
to rise again once counted out. Now
that will work, but starting quick
will probably lead to another eventual
November collapse.

Quarterback
What can we say about Marcus Vick? He wasn't
even on campus 2004 (arrested/suspended
from class), but now he has reenrolled and
is set to be the man needed to lead these
warriors. Look back two years, and Marcus
did show flashes of brilliance but was not
consistent when sharing the job. With the
position firmly his, Marcus should develop
the consistency via character. Marcus' decision
making skills are obviously the centerpiece
of both football and personal judgments
made about him. The very thought of Vick's
mobility (4.48-sec 40, 36" vertical
leap) and strong arm with legitimate deep-threat
wide receivers has the "Hokie Nation"
giddy with anticipation. When he plays not
to lose, Vick's natural skills will flourish
and Tech will win. But his five INTs in
57 career passes have many wondering what
VT will do if he is pushed to hard too fast,
and he returns to old form. In case of this
(Vick has four catches) or injury, sophomore
pocket-passer Sean Glennon will change the
pace. Sean looked extremely sharp in mop
up duties against scrubs, and will see time
as the heir-apparent. Ike Whitaker comes
in as Rivals.com's No.3 prospect, so his
name could surface, too. The talent is here,
but fulfilling potential is something Vick
can never really attain given his hiatus.

Running
Back
Cedric Humes and Mike Imoh are among the
best running back tandems in the country.
Humes is the stronger, power runner while
Imoh is the elusive quick one. This pair
started slowly due to Hume's broken leg
and Imoh's suspension, but they found their
groove. Imoh even broke Kevin Jones' single-game
rushing record (243 yards vs. UNC 11/6/04).
Still, a very good Auburn defense showed
they could be stopped, but these two can
- and will - improve. With VT's multiple
options in the passing game and several
deep-threat wide receivers, defenses will
not be able to crowd the box to stop the
run. There are a few big, quick newbies
just waiting for a chance, so this unit
looks strong. Opening holes will be gym-rat
Jesse Allen at fullback. Despite a big dropped
pass in the Sugar Bowl, coaches are sold
on him. Look for Jon Kinzer to move to tight
end. Between Vick, Humes, and Imoh, expect
the 2005 Hokies to return to a dominating
rushing attack.

Receiver
The unpredicted emergence of VT's sophomore
wide receivers won departed-QB Randall his
ACC Player of the Year status. This group
caught 86 passes for 1472 yards. The rest
of the team caught 93 passes for 963 yards.
And every one is able to stretch the field
vertically. Eddie Royal is marginally the
best of the bunch. But junior David Clowney
was already a favorite target for Marcus
Vick in 2003, and proves his worth (especially
in short yardage) as the largest established
target (6'1"). Expect emerging guys
Justin Harper (6'4") and Todd Nolen
(6'3") to see action underneath, too.
With Beamer in control, the Hokies will
never resemble a fun-and-gun offense, but
look for offensive coordinator Brian Stinespring
to utilize this depth of talent well.

Tight
End
In 2004, Nationalchamps.net did not even
preview the Hokie tight end group. Why bother
for a Hokie offense, right? Well, unlike
the Hokie tight ends, we dropped the ball.
VT tight ends caught opponents by surprise,
too, and of their 42 catches, 25 went for
first downs. Jeff King, who made 25 of those
catches (4 TDs), had made only seven prior
career catches. It was 1990 the last time
a tight end had 4 TD passes and 1987 the
last time more than 40 catches were recorded
by this group. King returns, along with
converted FB Jon Kinzer and Duane Brown.
This group handles well being used in subtle
ways that secure offensive successes, so
expect the unexpected again, but bank on
ball movement when these guys are healthy,
period.

Offensive
Line
The Hokies return three starters, but coaches
want to move Will Montgomery from center
back to guard. It will take spring practices
to know if they can. This offensive line
was not spectacular, and had an abysmal
game in their only ACC loss to NC State.
Achieving only 187 rushing yards per game
and 4.2 yds per attempt are numbers far
below Hokie standards. So is allowing 36
sacks. Nevertheless, they were effective
in scoring situations. The multiple-threat
offense should allow the rushing game to
get back to typical Hokie 200+ yd per game
levels as the quick-footed line adjust to
a more freewheeling QB. Beamer demands much
from his beef-eaters, so watch this core
dimension to keep tabs on how the other
offensive facets do.

OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Wow. These are great players for Brian Stinespring's
schemes. Good, young, speedy receivers,
experienced running backs, a tight end with
sticky fingers, an experienced offensive
line and a quarterback named Vick. The playbook
is wide-open and only a sophomore slump
should slow this squad. We'll probably see
more option plays with Vick then with Randall,
but anything goes with this many playmakers
available. If you don't know about how Beamer
likes to take creative chances on this side
of things, just watch what he tries this
campaign once this machine starts to really
fire. Last year's 65th-rated (total) offense
is no signal as to what we are about to
see.

TE
Jeff King

VIRGINIA
TECH 2005 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters/Key
Players

OFFENSE

QB

Marcus
Vick-Jr (6-0, 212)

Sean
Glennon-So (6-3, 215)
Cory Holt-Fr (6-4, 216)

FB

Jesse
Allen-Jr (6-0, 244)

Carlton
Weatherford-So (5-9, 226)

TB

Mike
Imoh-Sr (5-7, 195)

Cedric
Humes-Sr (6-1, 233)

WR

Eddie
Royal-So (5-10, 174)

David
Clowney-Jr (6-1, 179)

WR

Josh
Hyman-So (5-11, 188)

Josh
Morgan-So (6-1, 210)

TE

Jeff
King-Sr (6-5, 246)

Duane
Brown-So (6-5, 280)Jon Kinzer-So (6-2, 257)

OT

Jimmy
Martin-Sr (6-5, 305)

Brandon
Frye-Jr (6-4, 292)

OG

Will
Montgomery-Sr (6-3, 301)

Brandon
Gore-Jr (6-5, 340)

C

Danny
McGrath-Jr (6-2, 283)

Ryan
Shuman-Fr (6-3, 290)

OG

Jason
Murphy-Sr (6-2, 303)

Mike
Parham-Jr (6-0, 280)

OT

Reggie
Butler-Sr (6-6, 344)

Nick
Marshman-Fr (6-5, 346)

K

Brandon
Pace-Jr (5-10, 199)

Nic
Schmitt-Jr (6-1, 254)

2005
DEFENSE

Defensive
Line
The defensive front seven really turned
it around. A return to the swarming, gang-tackling
defense (21st-ranked in run stopping, allowed
only 77 first downs via runs) was a welcome
sight. No player epitomizes the return to
the blue-collar ethic than NC.net first-team
all-American DE Darryl Tapp, who captured
the coveted "lunch pail" in the
spring of '04 and never relinquished it.
His 16.5 TFLs (8.5 sacks) and 23 QB-hurries
say it all. He will lead this unit, who
will return depth and talent with Nolan
Burchette, Jonathan Lewis (11TFLs), and
Chris Ellis. These guys are all pass-rushing
fools (62 QB-hurries amongst the four) and
are rarely fooled in play-action. But if
there's a weak point in this unit, it would
be with finding established depth and the
starter's size. Fourth quarter efforts could
reflect this through fatigue and (then)
confusion.

Linebacker
The linebackers are arguable the strongest
link. Much of that is due to soph Vince
Hall and senior James Anderson, who both
just had terrific years. An injury to sophomore
Xavier Adibi in the USC opener limited his
time on the field, but when he returned,
he was outstanding. His key (instinct) sack
against UNC won the game for the Hokies.
Individual awards might elude these players
(the Hokie system doesn't result in LBs
with 100 tackles), but the trio of Adibi,
Hall, and Anderson is amongst the best linebacking
units in the country. Watch for true-frosh
Deveon Simmons to compliment Rouse and Warren
(2 INTs for 86yds and a TD) as they each
provide quality depth.

Defensive
Back
Hokie fans let out a huge sigh of relief
when NC.net first-team all-American cornerback
Jimmy Williams decided to forego the NFL.
The Hokies desperately need their only returning
starter as well as their INT leader (also
14 pass breakups). Opposite CB Roland Minor
can cover like Beamer ball demands (one-on-one)
with his size and speed. Questions remain
at the safety positions, as no players with
real experience return here. Justin Hamilton
is being moved from tailback to safety to
provide senior leadership. Newly-arriving
Victor Harris and Kent Hicks look well-sized,
fast, and prime, but this (at best) work-in-progress
will be reported on as soon as we know.

DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
The defensive front seven will be absolutely
critical to success (especially early).
An inexperienced defensive backfield learns
the ropes, so how far 2004's No.4-rated
pass defense slips will be critical for
measuring how far the entire Hokie squad
will eventually go. Fortunately, they have
the talent (up front) to accomplish this.
Nevertheless, the Achilles heel of Bud Foster's
defenses over the years has been gambling
on/allowing the deep ball while playing
aggressively up front. Last year's defense
tallied 18 INTs, tops in the ACC and fifth-best
in the country. Accordingly, Beamer will
perform trial-by-fire baptismals for the
DBs, meaning the Hokie's season will pivot
on the front seven getting its job done
quickly when opponents pass. The line will
come through, and the defense will again
win games in Blacksburg.

DB
Jimmy Williams

VIRGINIA
TECH 2005 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters/Key
Players

DEFENSE

DE

Darryl
Tapp-Sr (6-1, 268)

Jordan
Trott-Sr (6-4, 249)

DT

Carlton
Powell-So (6-2, 285)

Tim
Sandidge-Sr (6-1, 310)

DT

Jonathan
Lewis-Sr (6-1, 308)

Kory
Robertson-So (6-2, 331)

DE

Noland
Burchette-Jr (6-2, 252)

Chris
Ellis-So (6-4, 255)

ILB

Vince
Hall-So (6-0, 246)

Brett
Warren-So (6-1, 224)

ILB

Xavier
Adibi-So (6-2, 224)

Blake
Warren-Sr (6-3, 238)

WHIP

James
Anderson-Sr (6-3, 222)

Aaron
Rouse-Jr (6-3, 222)

CB

Roland
Minor-So (6-0, 198)

Brandon
Flowers-Fr (5-10, 186)

CB

Jimmy
Williams-Sr (6-3, 206)

Theodore
Miller-Fr (6-2, 179)

ROV

Cary
Wade-Jr (5-10, 184)

D.J.
Walton-Sr (5-10, 193)

FS

D.J.
Parker-So (5-11, 181)

Justin
Hamilton-Sr (6-3, 230)
Kent Hicks-Fr (6-2, 208)

P

Nic
Schmitt-Jr (6-1, 254)

Brandon
Pace-Jr (5-10, 199)

2005
SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker
Brandon Pace's misses lost an undefeated ACC season
and perhaps the Sugar Bowl. But make no mistake,
Pace is otherwise dependable. A Lou Groza semifinalist,
he should be solid again. Also, Jared Davelli's
ability to place 29 touchbacks in 69 KO tries
means that Pace can focus solely on putting the
ball between the uprights.

Punter
Nic Schmitt's booming punts (52.6 average on five
punts in 2004 spring game) will mean Vinnie Burns
isn't missed. But expect better results than the
abysmal 82nd-ranking of the coverage unit - bet
that Beamer hasn't sleep all off season due to
this problematic area.

Return
Game
Mike Imoh missed several games last year due to
injury and suspension, so he was down from his
30.5 yd kick return average in 2003. Look for
his numbers to return. He'll be paired with Eddie
Royal, who will also be the full-time punt returner.
A true freshman, Royal had a very solid 11.0 yd
per return average but never found the end zone.
Look for that to change in 2005.

OFFENSIVE
DEVELOPMENTS
Frank Beamer went through the motions and listed
Marcus Vick as the #3 QB entering the spring.
However, it took Vick's solid (if not spectacular)
effort in the spring game to confirm the obvious
- Marcus Vick will be the starting QB for the
Hokies in the fall. Sean Glennon had a good spring,
but a miserable spring game, and Cory Holt got
injured and never had a real chance to compete.
Besides Vick, others raising eyebrows this spring
were TBs George Bell and Brandon Ore. While Mike
Imoh and Cedric Humes will likely split most carries
for the Hokies this year, Bell and Ore will provide
incredible depth in the backfield, and show the
Hokies are going to be set at tailback for a few
years. Duane Brown at TE looked like a favorite
target for Marcus, providing an additional threat
at that position with potential all-American Jeff
King. David Clowney reemerged at flanker in the
spring, and while Eddie Royal (injured for spring
drills) will likely be the starter, Clowney was
a favorite target of Vick way back in 2002. It
looks like Will Montgomery will be able to move
back to left guard, as Danny McGrath did a solid
job at center. But Montgomery's backup at guard,
Brandon Gore was awarded most improved player
on offense, so if Montgomery needs to move back
to center, it might not be a problem. The cohesion
of the offensive line will likely be the most
important factor in VT's success in 2005.

DEFENSIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Obviously, the biggest question mark for the Hokies
on defense is their backfield. Jimmy Williams
put his NFL career on hold for one year to provide
leadership for this group. Good thing, as no real
stars emerged this spring. Aaron Rouse made the
move from linebacker to rover, and struggled to
learn the new position. He did improve with time
and even returned an INT for a touchdown in the
spring game. His backup, Cary Wade, won the most-improved
defensive player, and still might end up starting
in the fall. DJ Parker will likely be the starting
field safety, as converted tailback Justin Hamilton
was injured and could not compete in the spring.
At linebacker, Xavier Adibi looks a lot bigger,
to now bring some punch with his athleticism.
Adibi, Vince Hall and rising senior James Anderson
looked very good in spring and are likely the
most talented trio of linebackers in VT history.
Of course, potential all-American Darryl Tapp
leads the group of experienced defensive ends,
with Noland Burchette and Chris Ellis covering
his opposite side. However, the biggest news of
the spring on defense was the emergence of walk-on
freshman Orion Martin. In the spring game, Martin
had two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. These
are great numbers for a full game, to say nothing
of a 48-minute contest. Martin was quickly rewarded
with a scholarship. He's got a mentor in Tapp,
and will provide much needed depth behind him.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nothing new to report. Pace had no competition
as place kicker and was 2/2 in spring game field
goals. Nic Schmitt again boomed punts in the +50
yard range; though some are concerned his slow
setup might be too tempting for punt block units.
Jared Develli will handle kickoffs again. Last
year he was able to get more touchbacks than Hokie
fans have seen in some time.